ACT Brumbies skipper Stephen Moore has vowed not to let his defection to the Queensland Reds affect his last year in Canberra, adding that he would love to retain the captaincy if given the opportunity.

Stephen Moore says family was the main motivator in his decision to sign with the Queensland Reds Photo: Matt Bedford

The hooker spoke for the first time after arriving back in Canberra to spend Christmas with his family, and was determined to clear the air before the Brumbies start pre-season training on January 4.

He will become the most-capped player in Australian Super Rugby history by the end of his deal with the Reds, and turned down a chance to move overseas to continue his Wallabies career.

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Speaking to Fairfax Media, Moore acknowledged there was more emotion involved compared to other player movements given he was moving to another Australian franchise

"For me, I'd like to think I'm professional enough to make it clear that the Brumbies and Canberra community mean an enormous amount to me and always will," Moore said.

"I'll be doing all I can this year to make sure we have a good season before I move on to the next challenge.

"I'm going [to the Reds] for something different, a new challenge. It doesn't mean that I don't value my time at the Brumbies or that the club doesn't mean a lot to me. It's been a huge part of my rugby career and my life.

"I don't want to reflect on things because I've got a season ahead of me in Canberra. It's not uncommon for this stuff to happen, I just don't want it to affect our season.

"That's why I wanted to speak now, to make sure when we arrive back in January [for training] it's all done and dusted and we can move on."

Moore took over the Brumbies' captaincy last year to replace Ben Mowen and was installed as the Wallabies' leader by coach Michael Cheika.

The Brumbies could opt to look to the future and have Moore help usher in a new skipper or keep one of Australian rugby's most respected figures in the role.

"I'd love to continue [as captain], it means a lot to me and it's a big honour to captain the side. I enjoyed it this year, but it's not my decision," Moore said.

Moore was weighing up a potential move abroad, with Irish club Munster keen to secure his services.

Moore admitted, however, if he moved to Ireland he would have almost certainly ended his Wallabies career even though he falls into the new ARU eligibility category.

The ARU overhauled its Wallabies selection policy this year to allow players with more than 60 Test caps and seven years of service to sign contracts overseas without losing the right to play for Australia.

Moore, who has played 102 Tests and led the Wallabies to the World Cup final this year, said playing abroad and maintaining his Wallabies duties would be difficult to juggle and he wasn't prepared to walk away from his international career.

He spoke to Cheika, who indicated he was keen to have Moore stay in Australia for another four years.

The Australian rugby turnaround under Cheika helped sway Moore's decision.

"Playing under Cheik has been one of the greatest experiences of my career, and with the great group of guys," Moore said.

"I wasn't keen to pass that up. It would have been hard for me to play overseas and Australia. If I went overseas I probably wouldn't have played for the Wallabies. That's something I wasn't keen to do yet."

Moore was in negotiations with the Brumbies and the Reds joined the table late in the piece to give Moore a chance to return to the club where he started his career in 2003.

In the end Moore said the chance for his children Darcy and Theodore to be closer to the rest of the family in Queensland convinced him to make the move.

"The Reds weren't in pipeline until quite late but the opportunity arose, we spoke about it as a family and that's the decision we made. I'm happy with where it's at.

"It's important for me to consider my family in everything, it's not just a one-year deal. It's a three-year deal so I have to think about what's best for them."

The Reds have won just nine games in the past two seasons and failed to make the finals while their coach, Richard Graham, is facing pressure to keep his job.

In contrast, the Brumbies have made the finals in the past three years and boast a squad including 11 Wallabies that is capable of winning the Super Rugby title.

Moore said he saw an opportunity to "grow and improve" at the Reds and help the club get back on its feet. Moore, the Reds and the Wallabies will manage and monitor his work load to extend his career.

"But I don't want to talk about that because it's a year away. I've got a job to do in Canberra," Moore said.

"I'm not big on predictions, we've tried to build at the Brumbies to be competitive every year and if you're good enough to make the finals, you've got to take those opportunities.

"I'm well aware nothing is guaranteed, part of my consideration was did I think I could contribute to my province and Wallabies if I stayed. I know I have to work hard and improve as a player, I'm willing to do that."